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New training to support Covid-born babies and their challenges

Lizz Banks
Authored by Lizz Banks
Posted: Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 20:58

NDNA acknowledges the challenges for Covid-born babies

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has released a new webinar to give practitioners strategies to support babies and young children, whose wellbeing and development have been stunted by Covid-19.

Children born during the pandemic – just under 290,000 were born across the whole of the UK between March and July 2020 - have had their development particularly affected by restrictions on normal life. They missed out on movement, meeting wider family and those of similar ages, accessing outdoor spaces and seeing the world.

The Babies in Lockdown Report 2020 revealed that 68% parents felt that the changes brought about by Covid-19 were affecting their unborn baby, baby or young child.

The report also revealed that there is evidence of harm for this age group in five broad areas as a result of the lockdowns. These areas are:

1.       An increased likelihood of exposure to traumatic experiences

2.    Indirect health risks from time confined indoors and reduced contact with health services

3.    Risks of harm to development from restricted social interaction

4.    Risk of increased parental stress, less responsive parenting and harms to caregiving relationships

5.    Increased likelihood of hunger or maternal deprivation.

It goes on to list the factors impacting on babies’ first 1001 days as: social isolation, financial shock, pressures juggling childcare and work, unsafe living environment, illness/bereavement, Covid-19 related anxiety and limited access to services.

Babies will need practitioners to understand why they may struggle, what their lives have looked like since they were born and to approach their settling in and transitions bearing these factors in mind. Settings need to adjust how they approach settling in babies because Covid has defined their experiences so far.  By knowing which opportunities children missed out on, settings can ensure they reflect on their practice and provision to put opportunities in place to support any gaps in a child’s development; alongside a broad and balanced curriculum.

Practitioners will need a secure understanding of attachment based practice and look at how they can support babies and their families using strategies taught in this webinar. Practitioners need to be able to recognise where external support agencies should be involved as early intervention is vital. as face to face interactions with health and social care services has been severely limited by the pandemic. 

Emma Gardner, NDNA associate who created the courses on behalf of NDNA, said: “We know that the first 1001 days of a child’s life are critical for their development and life chances. The past 18 plus months of the pandemic have caused disruption for many during this formative life stage.

“We won't know what the long term impact of the pandemic on babies will be and we don't have time to wait and see. It's important to address any issues we feel may be caused by the lockdowns now to minimise the long term effects.

“Mental and emotional well-being is something we are gaining more and more knowledge on in the early years and if we don't do something to support children in this area, it's something that will only get worse. We already know that early intervention is always the best method as it means any gaps that open up or children that are at risk of being left behind can be supported. If gaps are ignored, it can become impossible for children to catch up and impacts their future life chances.”

The 90 minute Covid-Born Babies – How to Support Them module draws from research and anecdotal evidence given by settings.  The webinar gives practitioners a toolkit to support babies and their families, rooted in building connections.  It covers:

·         The impact of Covid on the development of babies

·         The key focus points for early years settings when caring for babies

·         Strategies to support babies and their families transitioning into or already attending early years settings.

The UN briefing paper 2020: The Impact of Covid-19 on Children states: ‘While children are not the face of this pandemic, its broader impacts on children risk being catastrophic and amongst the most lasting consequences for societies as a whole.’

The webinar – many of which have sold out - costs £25 for members and £33.33 for non-members. The next dates with spaces available are 22 February and 13 April with more to follow. Find out more information or book your place at https://www.ndna.org.uk/NDNA/Training/Live_virtual_classroom/Covid_born_babies_live_virtual_classroom_training.aspx

The Covid-Born Babies – How to Support Them course is part of a wider new selection of webinars which either stand alone, or can be attended as a seriesOther courses in the series are:

•                     Supporting Children through Adversity

•                     Positive Attachment

•                     Developing Resilient Children – Supporting Children’s Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

 

Cover photo By Spencer Selover from Pexels on Canva

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